The per diem for Iowa legislators ran out on Friday as it was the scheduled last day of the 2011 session. However, there is still quite a bit of work to be done before our state lawmakers can adjourn, including figuring out the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. On today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville, Samantha Smith speaks with Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley about the budgeting process and other things happening at the capital.

Things are starting to wind down in the Iowa legislature, at least that’s what lawmakers hope as they are scheduled to adjourn at the end of next week. On today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley speaks with Samantha Smith about this week in the session and what he expects to happen before things wrap up for the year.

The budget process continues and redistricting has been approved by both chambers of the Iowa legislature. On today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville Samantha Smith speaks with Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley to recap this week in the session.

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On March 31st the non-partisan legislative service agency released their initial draft of a redistricting plan for Iowa which splits some Marion County communities into different districts.

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There are just a few weeks left of this week’s legislative session but a lot of work still needs to be done in order to pass a budget. On today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville, Samantha Smith speaks with Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton about the budget process, pay for state appointed lawyers and redistricting.

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Community members are invited to share any questions, comments or concerns they have with our local lawmakers at the first local legislative discussion of the year this afternoon.